[nightcook]

For the past two Christmas seasons I have become sick and extremely exhausted after the Christmas rush. The two weeks before Christmas I work 10-12 hours days and even 14-16 the two days before Christmas if not more. It takes me a month to recovery from this ordeal and the older I get the longer it takes to recover. This Christmas could be even worst, work wise, as we just had our busiest thanksgiving ever. It approached Christmas time sales!

Working less is not an option this time of year but was wondering what other cooks and chefs that are on their feet all day do to get through the holiday madness to stay healthy and maintain their sanity.

Bill

[Free Rider]

While the holidays are quiet for me, there are some really busy times in my profession too. They are not even planned; they just happen and then it goes on for about a week or so without a break. During one of those episodes, I told my employer they should be subsidizing my intake of liquor. Anyway, the best way to get through it, I've found, is through meditation.

Also, it may sound strange, but take some time to do the following about four or five times a day, about ten times each session... Hold the right nostril closed and breathe in deep through the left nostril. Then hold the left nostril and let the air out the right one. After about five of those, do the same, but with the air going in the right nostril and out the left. It's a yoga meditation thing and, for some odd reason, is very calming (to me, at least).

[AprilB]

But I have allergies here and that's the one that gets plugged up..

Oh, the irony!

April

[Mikeb]

Originally Posted by nightcook

For the past two Christmas seasons I have become sick and extremely exhausted after the Christmas rush. The two weeks before Christmas I work 10-12 hours days and even 14-16 the two days before Christmas if not more. It takes me a month to recovery from this ordeal and the older I get the longer it takes to recover. This Christmas could be even worst, work wise, as we just had our busiest thanksgiving ever. It approached Christmas time sales!

Working less is not an option this time of year but was wondering what other cooks and chefs that are on their feet all day do to get through the holiday madness to stay healthy and maintain their sanity.

Bill

Drink? Honestly, I don't even know how I got through the last couple Christmas seasons... I'd be at work from 10 a.m. until 1 or 2 a.m. 6 days a week (would have been 7 but the restaurant was closed on sundays). The whole day was go time, no time for even a 10 minute break... Seems like a blur now, I don't really remember much of what happened...

As for staying healthy, I try to stay in top shape most of the year (I'm built more like an athlete than a cook), I eat right and work out constantly... Makes it a little easier to recover. Maintaining sanity? I'd just count down the days, it's alot easier to cope when you can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel....

[panini]

You have to keep up your defence mechanisms, eat properly, flu shot, drink plenty of water, no vices etc.
I found the most draining thing used to be never leaving the job. I would get home and start to relax and immediately start to think about the next day. It took years to become disaplined enough to LEAVE work till the next day. Fact is, there is nothing you can do anyway. Even after a 18 hour day I would get something in before home. Movie, bowling, etc.
Working out is great but you really need to work out the mind also. You can be the most physically fit person, but stress will wipe you out.
Just my 2 cents
pan